What is an Intensive Care Unit?

Each year in New South Wales, thousands of patients are admitted into Intensive Care Units (ICUs). These units are designed to deliver the highest of medical and nursing care to the sickest of patients. Some smaller rural and urban hospitals do not have intensive care units whilst larger metropolitan hospitals may have a number of specialised intensive care units. History During the 1960’s and early 1970’s doctors recognised the life-saving potential of placing patients into specialised areas called Intensive Care Units. The purpose of the units was to provide more intensive management for patients following major injury, illness or after major surgery. First Impressions of an Intensive Care Unit Physically, most ICUs are large areas with a concentration of specialised, technical equipment and monitors needed to care for the critically ill. Access to the unit is often limited, not only to families but also to other non-ICU staff members. The ICU has a larger ratio of doctors and nurses to patients than found in other areas of the hospital. Every patient in ICU has a monitor (a television-like screen) that can monitor the patient's heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, temperature, breathing and many other things. Most patients will have powerful drugs given to them continuously through intravenous infusions (‘I.V’ or ‘drip’). Patients may also be assisted in their breathing by a machine (ventilator). They are attached to the machine by a tube inserted into the trachea (windpipe). For most families of ICU patients there is no previous knowledge of intensive care equipment and procedures. The business of a unit can be frightening. One of the most concerning aspects of being in the ICU is the alarms. They seem to go off regularly and come from all around. Almost all ICU equipment uses alarms. However, it is important to remember that most alarms do not signal an emergency, but rather, they assist staff in providing better care by letting the staff know that the patient needs closer attention. Visiting Family in the Intensive Care Unit Visiting in most units is restricted in the interests of both patient and family safety and to allow staff to continue the high intensity care required. Children of the patient may be allowed to visit. We recommend discussion with a senior registered nurse or a social worker as to how this visit may affect your child. Visiting hours are usually during the daytime with some units having a ‘quiet-time’ (no visitors) during the middle of the day. Exceptions to these general rules may be made in consultation with senior ICU nursing and medical staff. At times there may be some special requirements to control infection.